Traveling to a new place can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very dangerous! There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and you need to keep them all in mind when planning your trip. Read on for some tips on traveling safely.
When traveling, it is important to make sure your airline will suit your needs. Different airlines maintain different niches. Some are inexpensive, some provide superior service, and some cater to far more destinations than others. Before you book any trip by airplane, research different airlines first. It will save you a headache.
Use plenty of plastic when packing. Putting your clothes, toiletries, and other items in clear plastic bags is always a smart way to pack when traveling. Not only does it help you organize, it also keeps your possessions safe. If the bag should be exposed to the elements on the tarmac, the contents of your bag will stay dry.
It’s always time well spent to insure you have critical items with you on your trip. Make a list and check it twice! If the item that you have forgotten in your irreplaceable medicine or perhaps some critical piece of electronics, however, you’re in trouble! Plan ahead to insure this doesn’t happen to you!
Know the rules for your airline’s baggage check policy. Some airlines will make you go and claim your baggage and recheck it for connecting flights. Be aware of this so you can schedule flights accordingly. You do not want to get caught running across an airport to catch a flight because of baggage!
Many of the most exotic, romantic travel destinations are in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Certain disasters are seasonal – late summer and fall are hurricane season in the Caribbean, for example. Travelers headed for areas that may be subject to seasonal disasters should be aware of that fact, just in case they find themselves in an evacuation situation.
If you know in advance that you will be passing through some less-than-desirable neighborhoods or areas of town en route to your destination, don’t rely solely on your in-dash GPS system. Map out alternate routes using MapQuest or Google Maps, so you don’t end up in a bad part of town, in the middle of the night, with bad directions.
Documentation is key, so be sure to discover what kinds of visas you will need to enter any countries you will be traveling to. You should apply for one quite a while before you travel, as they can sometimes take some time to process. Keep in mind that some countries will refuse to allow you into the country without the proper visa in your possession.
Travelers without children should not be too quick to judge or get angry with small children on a public mode of transportation. Traveling with children is quite stressful for the parents as well and they are usually highly embarrassed by their child’s behavior. Try to remember that you were once a child as well and if in a plane, recognize that high altitudes are quite hard on a small child’s inner ears.
Instead of purchasing souvenirs when you are traveling, consider asking the hotel where you are staying if you can take home a sheet of notepaper and envelope as a memento. These items usually have the hotel’s logo and address written on them, and are great backgrounds for albums. You can also write memories of your trip on them, and place the note in your scrapbook.
When traveling in a car, make sure to keep a small trash bag with you. You will invariably collect some trash while eating or drinking, and the mess can accumulate quickly. Having a bag handy will allow you to keep your car organized and clean, creating a nice environment for you to drive in.
Take cookie sheets with you when you are traveling in a car with children. Cookie sheets can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including snack or meal trays. They can also be used as a coloring desk and game table. Small children will enjoy using the trays with their magnetic letters and numbers, keeping them busy and happy during the drive.
When you are traveling on a cruise ship, wear your key as a necklace. It is easy to leave your key laying around while you are at the pool or in another area of the ship. This compromises the security of your room, so consider attaching your key to a necklace and wearing around your neck.
To pack light while traveling, make time to plan ahead. Lay articles of clothing out before you pack, and make sure that each top can go with more than one bottom. Bring clothes that are comfortable and easy to wash, in case you need to do laundry on the road. Think carefully about the shoes you bring. It is best to wear your bulkiest items on the flight, to make more room in your luggage.
Avoid getting lost in a new city and country by going to one very important spot when you land. That spot would be the tourism bureau. This place is packed with helpful people, guides, maps, all kinds of money-saving deals, and find out about free events that you can attend.
Avoid getting an illness while you are traveling. Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose and be sure to bring along some hand sanitizer. Use it after you wash your hands in the lavatory. Stay hydrated by drinking bottled water. Avoid ice from the airline as it is teeming with bacteria.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about to stay safe when traveling, whether you’re planning a trip or are already at the destination. Make sure to keep this article as a checklist so you can be sure not to forget anything you need to stay safe.